NEW DELHI: From England's crushing 405-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the second Ashes Test to Usain Bolt's return to form with a 9.87 seconds finish to win the 100m at the London Diamond League, the last week gone by threw up some interesting stats.
On one hand Indian golf protege Shubham Jaglan won his second junior world golf title in as many weeks while on the other Bangladesh cricket team continued their fine form to post their highest Test total against South Africa.
Thứ Ba, 28 tháng 7, 2015
Usain Bolt: I am still number one
World 100m and 200m record holder returns to the track with his season's best performance
![Bolt was running his first 100m in over three months [Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_so7ve_fIocSygRVrv51WT14aBENzrt0bHQolnRrbhe2hJBRDXUprtICYcs0IM3IPwaRCRHfgE8TH_mDuPYVTeDzkG6PjkN--QUBx2EYlhJLX9Hr_xPtxQnOCYwthMXYtF5pfHWZYUlC6ftqtxGDkZUqfA7qmRNU7gpkOYYoaZVWdHTBCc-V6RxmZ4D6YuEbN2xe5ZDSN-Eocc5=s0-d)
Bolt was running his first 100m in over three months [Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports]
Usain Bolt answered questions over his fitness ahead of the world championships with a season's best of 9.87 seconds in the 100m with a workmanlike performance at the London Anniversary Games on Friday.
With just under a month to go before he defends his world 100m and 200m titles in Beijing, the Jamaican showed he had recovered from a pelvic injury that has disrupted his season, although he was left with plenty to ponder in the rain-lashed capital.
I am still number one and until I retire that's the plan
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The world's fastest man shook off the rust from his layoff - this was his first 100m for over three months and first competitive race since mid-June - to win his heat and the final in the same time, putting him equal sixth in the world this year.
But he had to eat up the ground in the second half of both races, winning the final by three-hundredths of a second ahead of American Mike Rodgers (9.90) and fellow Jamaican Kemar Bailey-Cole (9.92).
"I am still number one and until I retire that's the plan," said the double world champion.
"I was happy with what I did," added the six-time Olympic champion.
"I'm ready to go and I'm ready to win. In the final I got a really bad start, I kind of lost focus but I got it back. I know I could have gone faster if I had just got my start."
Meanwhile, Britian's Mo Farah received a huge ovation before and after winning the 3,000 metres in 7:34.66, the fastest time in the world this year.
Farah has been dogged by the doping allegations surrounding his coach Alberto Salazar but has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
"You can only do what you do best and that, for me, is running," he said.
Premier League celebrity fans: Who do the likes of Usain Bolt and Barack Obama support?
There are a host of famous personalities who are devoted followers of Premier League sides, we take a look at the top celebrity fans in the English top flight
The countdown to the new Premier League season is underway - and it's not just normal fans who are looking forward to August.
England’s top flight is the most watched in the world - and it's also got some pretty high profile supporters.
From Snoop Dogg and Jay Z to Prince Harry and Catherine Zeta-Jones, celebrities the world-over have revealed their club alleigances.
Here, we take you through a selection of each team's most famous fans.
Arsenal
Prince Harry - Prince Harry is a renowned Arsenal fan, and the Queen apparently met Cesc Fabregas in 2007.
Piers Morgan - Twitter's favourite son has four season tickets at the Emirates.
Spike Lee - A friend of Thierry Henry and a "big fan of my man Wenger" the legendary film director has even helped launch the Gunners kit in the past.
Idris Elba - Former DJ and star of The Wire, Elba said he once took Charlize Theron to an Arsenal game but she didn't take tot he club.
Jay-Z - He was rumoured to be a Manchester City fan but he set the record straight during an interview in 2010.
Aston Villa
Prince William - William told Gary Lineker in an interview for BBC Sport last month that he decided to support Aston Villa because of their great history and to be different to his friends. Having not won a single thing since 1994, it’s fair to say that since Prince William started supporting the men in claret and blue in 1996, there hasn’t been a lot to shout about.
David Cameron - The British PM is a Villa fan (in the broadest sense of the word). Just take a look at this video. Cringe.
Tom Hanks - The Oscar-winning actor revealed that he chose to support Villa because he liked their name.
Ozzy Osbourne - In fact, Osbourne's bandmates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler are also Villa fans.
AFC Bournemouth
Jayne Middlemiss - The CFelebrity Masterchef winner and former Top of the Pops presenter is reportedly a fan of the Premier League’s fairytale new boys.
Christian Bale - Alright, this one might be debatable. We don't actually know if Batman is a Bournemouth fan, but he definitely used to live there.
Chelsea
Jeremy Clarkson - The TV presenter regularly attends games at Stamford Bridge and was most recently present at the game where the side were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG.
Michael Caine - Unlike his Batman co-star Bale, Caine is a big fan of the Blues.
Ben Ainslie - The most successful Olympic sailor in history is Blue.
Damon Albarn - Frontman of Blur, Gorillaz and other bands, the legendary Brit Pop singer is a huge Chelsea fan.
Crystal Palace
Eddie Izzard - An avid Palace follower since 1969 he became a director in 2012.
Bill Nighy - Described in an interview earlier this year as having a "fairly manic obsession" with football and Palace in particular.
Maxi Jazz - Rapper and lead vocalist for English band Faithless, he was even named an Associate Director of the club in 2012.
James Buckley - When he's not boasting about fictional girlfriends, the Inbetweeners star likes to spend his time at Selhurst Park.
Everton
Dame Judi Dench - a member of Everton in the Community charity and big fan of the Toffees.
Sylvester Stallone - Rocky Balboa rocked up at Goodison Park for a 1-1 draw between Everton and Reading in January 2007. He has been a fan ever since.
Sir Paul McCartney - He said: "I went occasionally to watch football. My family team was Everton and I went to Goodison Park a couple of times."
Leicester City
Gary Lineker - the BBC Match of the Day presenter makes no secret of his affection for his former club, and was actively involved in praising last season’s great escape against relegation on social media.
Basil Brush - OK fine not the puppet himself but the man whom operated him was a huge Foxes fan, so Basil is by association.
Liverpool
Gary Barlow - the Take That star recalls his favourite memories are on the Kop with his Dad Colin as he and his family grew up in the city.
Dr Dre - the global rap star once referred to ex-Reds midfielder Patrick Berger as "the bomb!". Incredible.
LeBron James - possibly the world's biggest sports star is an avid Red and has talked about buying a stake in the Anfield club.
Mike Myers - Star of Austin Powers and numerous other comedies, Myers has been pictured at games wearing the shirt.
Daniel Craig - More than a plastic fan, the James Biond actor goes to games whenever he can.
Manchester City
Noel Gallagher - Last month the famous musician announced he’d let David Silva sleep with his wife - a bold statement, but an indication of his love for the club and the Spaniard’s admirers at least. Images of the former Oasis frontman in the plush seats at the Etihad stadium are now commonplace.
Ricky Hatton - The former world champion boxer is a huge blue. He staged one of his fights at the Etihad in 2008.
Andrew Flintoff - He once said: "'I'm a Manchester City supporter. I go to see them, but it's more about a day out with friends than the game."
Manchester United
Usain Bolt - Famously renowned for once claiming he ‘wanted to play’ for Manchester United once he had retired from athletics, the Jamaican Olympic gold medal sprint sensation then changed his mind earlier this year claiming that England was ‘too cold’ - an astute observation. In August 2012 the athlete was presented to the Old Trafford crowd with his medals from the London games, and he also took part in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial too - likely to be the only two circumstances where he’ll find himself on the hallowed turf.
Floyd Mayweather - Famously taunted Hatton before their huge Las Vegas bout in 2007 by donning a United shirt at a pre-fight press conference.
Rory McIlroy - World No.1 McIlroy is a big United fan and is occasionally seen at Old Trafford.
Justin Timberlake - The American singer revealed he had been converted to a United fan by his bodyguard Eric.
Harry Styles - One Diretion singer and per-pubescent heartthrob Harry Styles has posted pictures online of him wearing United shirts.
Newcastle United
Ant and Dec - Famous Geordie TV presenting duo spoke out in support of the boycott by fans in May 2015
Sting - Lead singer of The Police, we're not sure how often he makes it to St James' Park, but he's a Newcastle fan.
Graeme Swann - The former England cricketer is a big Newcastle fan, but seems to get little joy out of them if his Twitter feed is to be believed.
Tony Blair - Former UK Prime Minister Blair used to repeatedly state his affection for the Geordies. He probably still does.
Norwich City
Stephen Fry - The likeable TV presenter has been a board member at his beloved Canaries since 2010, and the lifelong fan has used his status to generate interest in the Norfolk side over the last few years.
Delia Smith - Britain's favourite celebrity chef isn't just a fan, she's the owner.
Hugh Jackman - No, really. He's even spoken in interviews about how much he loves the club.
Southampton
Craig David - The singer is from the Hampshire city and has supported the Saints since childhood.
Holly Valance - The actress and singer's mother was from Southampton and she is rumoured to be a Saints fan. This one is probably in the 'maybe' pile.
Will Champion - Drummer from the band Coldplay, Champion is an avid Southampton fan.
Stoke City
Sugar Ray Leonard - American former professional boxer attended a game at the Britannia Stadium in 2008 where the Potters lost 2-0 to Chelsea.
Busta Rhymes - Rap star who was picture wearing a Potters top in Los Angeles back in 2010. In 2015, the club offered to send him the new shirt.
Jeremy Bates - Former Tennis player who won the mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1987. Lifelong Stoke fan who can be heard on a couple of Stoke podcasts.
Sunderland
Paul Collingwood - Former England one day cricket captain who was hooked after his Aunty took him to a game at the old Roker Park when he was 11 because they ‘couldn’t afford to go to St James' Park.
Katie Adie - Veteran war correspondent who grew up in Sunderland and is a devoted Mackems fan.
Richard Short - LA based actor hailing from South Shields, who has appeared in Law & Order, American Horror Story and more. Sunderland fan by nature.
Swansea City
Catherine Zeta-Jones - Swansea-born actress celebrated the League Cup triumph at the 2013 Academy awards on the red-carpet.
Michael Douglas - Has Cath's Swansea's enthusiasm been passed on to her famous husband? Probably.
Watford
Sir Elton John - The famous singer became chairman of the club in 1976, and is now shareholder. He has had the new stand at Vicarage Road named after him, and it was opened during the height of last season’s promotion winning campaign.
Anthony Joshua - Dominant heavyweight boxer who has previously called one of his fights to be staged at Vicarage Road
Jennifer Aniston - Friends star who was delighted when presented with a Watford shirt in an interview with Radio 1's Chris Stark.
Tottenham
Adele - Tottenham-born singing sensation has Spurs running through the family.
John Cena - WWE sensation who has confessed to being a huge Spurs fan. Invited to the ground in 2008 for a tour and presented with a personalised shirt.
Jason Biggs - American Pie star who has stated his allegiance to Spurs on many an occasion, including on an episode of 8 out of 10 cats.
West Brom
Adrian Chiles - The TV presenter’s Grandad used to take him to games in the 70’s and he’s followed the Midlands side ever since.
Liam Payne - One Direction heart-throb is a big Baggies fan, despite coming from Wolverhampton.
Goran Ivanisevic - 2001 Wimbledon with a strong love for Albion. Attended his first match against QPR at Loftus Road in 2011.
West Ham
Barack Obama - A 2003 trip to London is cited as being the watershed moment when the US president decided to nail his claret and blue colours to the mast and support the east London side.
He claims to watch the Premier League whenever his schedule allows, although it’s hard to envisage Obama settling down for a Monday night football clash between Stoke and Sunderland isn’t it?
Usain Bolt parties at London nightclub until 4.30am following Anniversary Games win
The Jamaican clocked a time of 9.87secs in the 100m at the Olympic Stadium on Friday night - and celebrated in style in the West End
Usain Bolt celebrated his Anniversary Games win with a trip to the Libertine Club in London's West End on Friday night.
The 28-year-old World and six-time Olympic champion, who won the 100m event in 9.87 secs, stayed at the hot spot until 4.30am
After his win on Friday, Bolt dismissed Justin Gatlin's chances of beating him in next month's World Championships in Beijing.
Asked whether a gold medal for two-time drugs cheat Gatlin would be bad for athletics, Bolt responded: “I’m not planning to lose so I can’t really answer that.
“I never doubt myself, I never get nervous and I never worry about one person.
"I know he’s doing good this season but when the championships come anyone who knows anything about me knows I always show up.”
Bolt also gave his backing to good friend Mo Farah, who has been caught up in a drugs row following doping allegations made against his coach Alberto Salazar.
“I’m sorry that every day people are trying to tear Mo down,” Bolt added. "If he believes in his coach I believe in him.”
In pictures - The Anniversary Games:
Usain Bolt v Justin Gatlin could produce 'crazy' time - Campbell
Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin's rivalry can produce a "crazy" time at August's World Championships, says ex-British sprinter Darren Campbell.
Bolt, who set the world record of 9.58 seconds in 2009, ran two season best times of 9.87 at the Anniversary Games.
Campbell believes Bolt's performances at London's Olympic Stadium prove the Jamaican can challenge the year's fastest sprinter Gatlin.
"They both believe they can win gold. That makes it exciting," he said.
Campbell, a former world 100m bronze medallist, added: "Now Bolt's in shape, he has 100% belief. Gatlin definitely believes he can win and that's what potentially will bring out a crazy time in Beijng.
"Rivalries are important because it makes people dig deeper."
Injury and poor form meant Bolt had run just once over 100m in 2015 prior to Friday, a lacklustre 10.12 in Brazil in April.
But in wet conditions he twice dipped below 10 seconds for the first time this year, on the track where he won three of his six Olympic titles.
The 28-year-old secured victory in his heat with ease and while beating his rivals in the final was more of a challenge, he equalled his impressive qualifying time - the joint sixth fastest time of the year.
According to BBC Radio 5 live pundit Campbell, the two races this weekend confirmed Bolt - who withdrew from two Diamond League meetings this month with a pelvic problem - looked in "good shape".
"It's important people understand that the injury he had would be similar to having a car with one flat tyre," explained Campbell.
"Usain Bolt's strength is his stride and for him not to be able to get the stride length means he won't get rhythm so you can understand how that would play a big part in why his times were down.
"The performances were very impressive just because of the conditions, they were terrible. We do know the Olympic Stadium's track is quick, but you have to be in shape to put out that time.
"We saw that shift in gear he has when he gets to 40m, when he starts to open up his stride, and it's still there. That first 30 to 40m he can work on. These final three weeks before the championships he will sharpen up, but Gatlin is a real threat."
Will Gatlin be worried?
American Gatlin, a two-time drug cheat, has established himself as the world's dominant male sprinter this year.
The 9.74 personal best he clocked in Doha in May continues to be the world-leading time, and he has gone under 9.8 four times in 2015 - 9.74, 9.75, 9.75, 9.78.
Campbell believes the criticism Gatlin continues to receive after returning to the sport following a second doping ban suggests the 33-year-old is not easily ruffled.
"Set aside what he's done with regards to the drugs, as a competitor, as a character, Gatlin doesn't let many things bother him and that's important as a sportsperson," added Campbell.
"I don't think he'll be scared. He's a real competitor, someone who can dig deep. He won't quit. He thinks he has the beating of Bolt.
"But I can now get excited about the Worlds because, before Friday, Gatlin was the red-hot favourite and that can be a bit boring."
Does the sport need a Bolt victory?
In August Bolt will return to the Bird's Nest, to the track where he achieved his stunning world records in the 100m and 200m to win his first Olympic titles.
The Jamaican's best over both distances remain the best there has ever been and the six-time Olympic champion still possesses the three fastest 100m times in history.
But there is a possibility that Gatlin could win gold in an event clouded by doping, potentially beating defending champion Bolt - the athlete who transcends his sport and is regarded by many as its saviour.
"It's important the biggest superstar is at the major championships and performing well," said Campbell.
Tale of the tape | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bolt | Gatlin | |
28
|
Age
|
33
|
6
|
Olympic golds
|
1
|
9.58
|
Personal best
|
9.74
|
9.87
|
2015 best
|
9.74
|
31
|
Number of sub-9.90 second runs
|
19
|
0
|
Doping bans
|
2
|
"It's also important we see the human side of the story: about coming back from adversity. In Gatlin's case, he created his own problems but, to a degree, he's come back from it. Bolt hasn't had his best year and now he's coming back.
"They are two stories, two totally different paths, which will be played out at the World Championships, and that's what's important for the sport.
"But what's also important for the sport is that the photo we see at the end is Bolt's hand rising up in victory as he crosses the line because, if it's Gatlin, I don't know where it leads us. No-one knows the ramifications of that."
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